Editor’s note: Due to the President’s Day holiday, the printed version of this article did not include updates from over the weekend. The story below has been updated.
WHITE RIVER GIRLS BASKETBALL
The highly-ranked, highly-regarded Hornet girls took the court Friday night, just one victory shy of advancing to the state’s Sweet 16.
On Friday, coach Chris Gibson and his crew hosted North Kitsap High of the Olympic League. The Wolves entered Friday’s contest with a season record of 11-10. Things didn’t go as Gibson planned, however, and White River left the court on the losing end of a 50-43 score.
The Hornets had received a first-round bye into the West Central District tournament, which sends six squads into the regional round of the state tourney.
With the loss to North Kitsap, the Hornets will play Orting High Tuesday, Feb. 18 in a loser-out game. White River defeated the Cardinals twice during the regular season, each time by a wide margin. If the Hornets prevail a third time over Orting, they will play again Thursday; that game will begin at 6 p.m. at Wilson High School against either Kingston or Sequim.
Thursday’s winner is guaranteed a regional berth and will play Saturday for seeding purposes only.
White River entered the district tournament as the overall No. 1 seed.
WHITE RIVER BOYS BASKETBALL
The White River boys opened West Central District tournament play Saturday with a home-court victory over the Franklin Pierce Cardinals, assuring themselves a berth in the state Sweet 16.
Coach Zach Johnson and his Hornet boys had received a first-round bye into the West Central District tournament before whipping the Cardinals 67-57.
Now, White River is slated to play Thursday night in the WCD semifinals against either North Kitsap. That game is set for 6 p.m. at Rogers High School (South Hill). If the Hornets are victorious, they will play at 2 p.m. Saturday at Tacoma’s Wilson High for the district title; if they fall to North Kitsap, the Hornets will take the court at 3:30 Saturday at Bellarmine Prep, playing either Clover Park or Lindbergh for the district’s No. 3 and Nov. 4 seeds to the regional round of the state tourney.
White River entered district competition as the overall No. 3 seed.
ENUMCLAW GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Enumclaw High girls stayed alive in most exciting fashion Saturday evening, defeating Sumner High 42-41. The victory came in the second round of the 16-team West Central/Southwest District tournament.
The game, played at Foss High School in Tacoma, was a loser-out affair, with the winner advancing to play at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. The Hornet girls will take on Kentridge at Stadium High School in Tacoma.
If the Hornets come out on top Tuesday, they will play at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, again at Stadium High, against either Auburn Mountainview or Rogers. It’s a loser-out contest, with the winner assured of a berth in the regional round of the 16-team state tourney.
The Enumclaw girls hit a playoff bump Feb. 13, losing 45-28 to Todd Beamer High School.
The Hornets had kept their season alive Feb. 11 when they defeated the Emerald Ridge Jaguars 50-41. It was a play-in game, with the loser finished for the season and the winner joining the 16-team field in the West Central/Southwest District tournament.
On the neutral court at Auburn Montainview High School, the Hornets played a solid first half and took a 30-20 lead into the locker room. The second half featured featured moments of ragged play and mistakes from both clubs, as well as inspired rallies. After briefly surrendering their lead, the Enumclaw High crew returned to earlier form and secured the win.
Enumclaw scoring: Sydney Brazier 17, Jesslyn Huizenga 14, Sawyer Anderson 7, Saydee Anderson 4, Karsyn Kranc 4, Ellie DeGroot 2, Addie Neu 2.
ENUMCLAW BOYS BASKETBALL
The curtain fell on the 2019-20 season the night of Feb. 10, when the Hornets were defeated 61-35 by the Skyview Storm.
It was a play-in game with the winner earning a berth in the West Central/Southwest District tournament. The contest was staged on the neutral court at Olympia High School.
Enumclaw fell behind quickly, giving up 25 points in the opening quarter while posting 11. The Storm maintained a lead through the middle periods and erupted for another 25 points in the final eight minutes.
Enumclaw finished the season with an overall record of 10-13. With the play-in victory, Skyview – a member of the Greater St. Helens League, improved to 15-6 on the season.
Enumclaw scoring: Drew Kuzaro 11, John Leonard 9, Tyler Feddema 4, Will Schroeder 4, John Carnino 3, Carson Firnkoess 2, Cameron Brauer 2.
